All presenting donors will receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A sandwich and will be entered in a drawing for the chance to win free Chick-fil-A for a year. Plus, all presenting donors will also be entered in a drawing for the chance to win a $1,000 gift card through the Red Cross “Spring Into Giving” promotion.

The need for blood is constant. Even in the spring and summer months, when people are seemingly their healthiest, those with illness, cancer or trauma need our help. The Red Cross encourages donors year-round to help make sure the blood supply in our region remains at adequate levels to provide for those in need.

Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. The American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to patients in 54 hospitals. Approximately 500 people need to give blood or platelets each week day to meet hospital demand.

Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies more than 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.